The Healing Powers Of Cats And Dogs with Carlyn Montes De Oca

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Montes De Oca describes how she became guardian of many rescue animals. She uses the term “guardian” instead of the more common term “pet owner” because, “We are here together and I think of guardianship in terms of our environment, in terms of our world. I think it’s a healthier place in many ways to come from instead of ownership. . . I started applying that term not only to my dogs but to my stepchildren. I never liked stepmom but guardian somehow made it feel like it’s more of an allowing place.” She goes on to share with us the “superpowers” that dogs and cats have that can help us on many levels: mind, body, and spirit. She encourages us to consider volunteering at an animal shelter, which will not only benefit the animals but has great health benefits for us as well. She also has many creative ideas for how to choose an animal that fits our lifestyle, and even ideas as to how to “share” dogs or cats and be able to spread out the responsibility and the financial expense of them. She shares this powerful statement with us: “Think of the side effect of having a companion animal in your home. A side effect of unconditional love, companionship, friendship, loyalty, kindness. If somebody were to give you a medication for all those things, how much would you pay for that? Here are these perfectly adoptable, wonderful animals . . . I would say please adopt and don’t shop.” (hosted by Justine Willis Toms)

Bio 

Carlyn Montes De Oca is an acupuncturist, plant-based nutritional consultant, and animal-human health expert. A former film editor for Lucas films and spokesperson for the Guardian Campaign at In Defense of Animals, she is the founder of The Animal-Human Health Connection. 

Carlyn Montes De Oca is author of:

• Dog As My Doctor, Cat As My Nurse (She Writes Press 2017)

To learn more about the work of Carlyn Montes De Oca go to www.AnimalHumanHealth.com.

Topics Explored in This Dialogue

• How her cats helped her through depression, anxiety, and insomnia
• Why Montes De Oca uses the term “animal guardians” rather than “animal companions” or “pet owner”
• What are some superpowers that our dogs and cats have
• What is an observation about President Trump not sharing his life with a dog or cat
• How studies show that a child’s immunity system is developmentally stronger when they have an animal in the house
• What are some emotional and physical health benefits of sharing our life with a dog or cat
• How animals can help bolster our Emotional Quotient (EQ) and teach us empathy
• What was her experience with dog whisperer, Cesar Millan
• What are some thoughts of rescuing animals during climate disasters
• How do colleges use animals to help students with stress
• How dogs are used with inmates in prison programs
• Stories of the healing powers she and her clients have experienced
• What are the benefits of volunteering at an animal shelter
• How dogs, most especially, are loyal, deep listeners, and can be our cheerleaders
• How animals can teach us the lessons of forgiveness

Host: Justine Willis Toms        Interview Date: 9/1/2017        Program Number: 3621

Music Playlist

From Album: In Stride
Artist: Oregon 
2013 Cam Jazz

Opening Essay: Track 02 As She Sleeps
Music Break 1: Track 05 On The Rise
Music Break 2: Track 09 Petroglyph
Music Break 3: Track 10 The Cat Piano